Ogbeni Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola was yesterday sworn in for a second term as governor of Osun State with leaders of All Progressives Congress (APC) assuring that the governor’s triumph in the August 9 poll is the beginning of the electoral change they envisage in 2015.
The swearing in ceremony, which took place at Osogbo City Stadium, Osogbo, the state capital, witnessed a mammoth crowd of supporters, particularly APC leaders, including former Head of State and presidential aspirant, General Muhammadu Buhari (retd), Chief Bisi Akande, and Senator Bola Tinubu.
Former governors of the state, Olagunsoye Oyinlola, and Senator Isiaka Adeleke also attended the event and joined other APC leaders to pay glowing tributes to Aregbesola.
After the swearing in and oath of allegiance performed by the Chief Judge of the state, Adebola Adepele at about 1:20 p.m, there was a free flow of goodwill messages by party leaders, governors and other supporters. They all congratulated the governor on his victory in the August 9 election, which was keenly contested by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Senator Iyiola Omisore.
First to speak was former governor of the state, Akande, who congratulated the people of the state on returning Aregbesola as governor “to continue the good work he has started.” He thanked students, market women and farmers for assuring them of improved living conditions. He pledged that employment and the people’s welfare would top Aregesola’s agenda.
Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole, in his remarks, commended the people of Osun for standing steadfastly behind the governor. “ In the last election in Osun, the powers that be rolled out the tanks to ensure that we lost the election. But you stood your ground and today we are celebrating the victory. You have been able to demonstrate that election is not by licence. With this victory, you can be sure that Nigeria will change,” he said.
In his remarks, Governor Abdufatai Ahmed of Kwara State said: “Today, Osun State is happy because you have made your choice for good governance, growth and youth empowerment. So, change is imminent. Tell your people abroad that the wind of change is blowing in Osun.”
Also speaking, the governor of Ogun State, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, said: “The change that is coming to Abuja in 2015 has started in Osun and will continue. Whatever God wants to do, nobody can stop it. That is why Rauf Aregbesola was able to return for the second tenure. We in APC are determined to bring change and we shall have an APC president in 2015.”
In the same vein, former governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi said: “Osun people have spoken the true language of ‘Omoluabi.’ Now you are sure that success, growth and fortune await you. Osun ti dara o.
Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN) of Lagos also said: “I salute the people of Osun for standing firmly to defend democracy and your governor, Rauf Aregbesola, his wife and deputy. The good work has just started.”
APC leader and former governor of Lagos State, Tinubu congratulated the people of Osun on what he described as a sense of revolution. He said: “The greatest philosophy started here in Osun, ‘common sense revolution.’ The revolution is the ability to use our voter’s cards to send ‘these people’ away.
They have failed. The revolution is about welfare, food on our table and employment for the youth and generate electricity, not the light they are giving in Abuja, the class difference being created where the poor remains poor.”
Tinubu further lamented: “Is Nigeria better than what it was four years ago? The naira is sliding. They are stealing our money. Let’s go back to produce our cocoa.
“What we are celebrating in Osun today is the people’s courage and determination. No police can steal your vote.”
APC’s presidential aspirant and former deputy president, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, represented by his wife Titi Abubakar, who incidentally hails from Ilesa in Osun state, commended Governor Aregbesola for starting a good work in the state right from his first tenure and urged him to finish it. He also commended the people of the state for their support which, he said ensured Aregbesola’s return for the second term and urged the governor to justify the confidence reposed in him by the people.
In a similar development, presidential aspirant under the platform of APC Muhammadu Buhari, also saluted the people’s courage to re-elect Ategbesola, even as he assured them of APC to make the country better at all levels, especially in 2015.
According to him, Osun State people’s determination to ensure Aregbesola’s return had boosted the party (APC) morale, assuring that the party is not only proud of them but would always be ready to guarantee them with good governance. – The Sun.
